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Poll: Majority in Toronto think union gains are at risk today; Unions seen to be as needed today as ever

TORONTO, Aug. 29, 2014 /CNW/ - The Toronto public, while not that heavily unionized at about one third of households, is aware of the historical contributions the labour movement has made to life in Canada, and they understand that some of these gains could be at risk if not defended with the same fervour that characterized the union movement in the past. These and other potentially counterintuitive findings, such as broad support for the right to strike, come out of a Union Calling / Forum Research poll conducted in mid-August. The poll was commissioned by Toronto's Local 113 of the Amalgamated Transit Workers, which represents 10,000 workers at the Toronto Transit Commission and York Region Transit.

"It is interesting to note that the highest agreement for any of the statements we tested was for the idea that no one should sacrifice their dignity to work for less than a living wage, which, unfortunately, is becoming common these days. This was one of the ideas which actually drew high levels of agreement from the youngest and from females, who may be the future of the labour movement," said Dr. Lorne Bozinoff, president and founder of Forum Research. Dr. Bozinoff may be reached at (416) 960 9603 or at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com.

"The common maxim that 'Unions were once needed but no more' is now a minority view," said Bill Reno, president and founder of Union Calling, Canada's largest provider of automated telecom services exclusively to union and their allies. Union Calling and Forum Research have recently partnered to provide in-depth opinion research services to unions in Canada.

"The fact that 75% of respondents attribute several quality of life social gains to unions is a clear signal, along with the other responses, that recognition of the value of organized labour is strong, even among those who do not belong to a union," Reno said. He can be reached at 416-223-7366 or at billreno@unioncalling.ca.